It’s raining! Real proper rain. 🌧️ ☔️

Gene Kelly Singing In The Rain Dance

ALT: Gene Kelly Singing In The Rain Dance

static.klipy.com

Some execs could learn this too

Back when I had Twitter I used to offer free headshots for low-income authors, not sure I have much reach here but the offer is still there. London or Birmingham (although I’m in Glasgow and Edinburgh at the end of Aug and can fit in a session. Will have lights so can be indoors).

What?! Oh.... That kind of headshot* In all seriousness, this is a really kind offer from Tracy. - #scriptskyuk *Which I read in an out of out-of-context moment due to being in the middle of rewriting a bloody violent showdown ;)

Tracy King@tracyking.bsky.social · 2d ago

Back when I had Twitter I used to offer free headshots for low-income authors, not sure I have much reach here but the offer is still there. London or Birmingham (although I’m in Glasgow and Edinburgh at the end of Aug and can fit in a session. Will have lights so can be indoors).

Newbie writers think there's "one weird trick" to becoming a successful writer, which we refuse to tell them. Fact is, most of us became successful (whatever that means) through 90% luck, 9% stubbornness, 1% inability to do anything else. We can't tell you how we got here because we don't know!

Antony Johnston@antonyjohnston.bsky.social · 2d ago

Seeing complaints online that authors 'gatekeep' information…! Absolute nonsense. There is no industry or craft in the world which is so comprehensively written about, studied, and discussed as fiction writing, and every author I know welcomes new writers who are serious about giving it a go.

Here’s a novel idea. How about we focus on what women DO rather than their looks, weight or what they’re bloody wearing. Can we finally heave ourselves out of this judgemental dark ages. Ariana Grande has had enough of body comments, but 'scrutiny' will linger www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Ariana Grande has had enough of body comments, but 'scrutiny' will linger

The star has taken a "step back" from the spotlight after appearances led to "endless, ongoing public scrutiny".

bbc.co.uk

Omg what a fantastic write up in The Observer for It’s a Superpower?? Thank you so much @msmirandasawyer.bsky.social ! Everyone go read the whole article 🥹🥹🥹 observer.co.uk/culture/audi...

Been seeing the “how do you break in” conversations floating around and I remember in my early days of just wanting to work in film all the conversations were about how to break in. Turns out the answer is just show up and do the work. Make friends. Be helpful.

This magnificent place quite literally is in the middle of the street in York. An architectural and historical gem in its crown. Yet many people don’t know of its existence. I didn’t for a long time. Then when you come upon it… 😮 🤩

Andy Marshall@fotofacade.bsky.social · 2d ago

At York Merchant Adventurer's Hall C14th timbered hall the joy of craft has been caught within Medusa’s gaze. This place is not merely a building, but also the medieval artisan’s woody memoranda embedded within the street. A must see.

At York Merchant Adventurer's Hall C14th timbered hall the joy of craft has been caught within Medusa’s gaze. This place is not merely a building, but also the medieval artisan’s woody memoranda embedded within the street. A must see.

he's right and he should say it

Brilliant letter from Stuart Thompson to Jeremy Clarkson about his comments that benefit claimants should write weekly thank you letters to tax payers detailing how they spend their benefits each week.

Mate, why do you think we left the old place and set up camp on here? That place wasn’t originally set up to “attract one specific group of people.” Gradually seeped in and then Melon Husk pulled the plug and it filled up with sh*t. He’s chief of poop! 💩 Here’s good. Let’s keep it that way.

The Verge@theverge.com · 2d ago

Bluesky's new CEO Toni Schneider on the platform's reputation for being a liberal bubble: "Yes, we definitely want that to change. It is already changing. It certainly wasn’t designed to attract one specific group of people."

The transition is already happening at speed. Mental to be acting like net zero is a problem in this context.

Nicolas Fulghum@nicolasfulghum.bsky.social · 2d ago

July marks the first consecutive twelve month period where wind generated more electricity than gas in the UK...in every single month. In the last decade, wind generation in the UK has more than doubled, pushing first coal and now gas out of the mix.

BE more emu, be prepared to change direction knowing you will get there in the end

Exactly 3 months from today is the most important midterm election in our lifetime. Our opportunity to hold him accountable. Register to vote here: Iwillvote.com The stakes have never been higher. Show the world the majority of Americans are good, decent, honest people. #VoteBlue🗳️ #RejectMAGA 👎

As Rod Liddle has died, I notice this column I wrote in 2019 about his attacks on people with M.E. is on the most read again. Rebekah Brooks, of News UK, described Liddle today as “provocative”. In reality, he spread lies about very sick people for cash. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Rod Liddle vilifies disabled people. I’m tired of the hate. We all should be | Frances Ryan

Whether it is ME patients or another target, huge swathes of the media have normalised hatred of minorities for years, says Guardian columnist Frances Ryan

theguardian.com

Thanks guys. It looks like the issue has been resolved and I should receive a full refund within a few days. Not quite I planned my entire Monday afternoon. Would far rather finish this bloody script. Cogs are turning on how to integrate this experience into a future script. Tech gremlins, eh?

💙 🇺🇦 NomadicWriter (Fritha Malcouronne) 🇺🇦 💙@nomadicwriter.bsky.social · 2d ago

Need your help. I forgot to unsubscribe Norton security products last year after they took a chunk of money out of my account without prior notification. They’ve repeated it today and this time it’s an even heftier chunk of funds.

🏆 Nominations are open for the 2027 Tinniswood Award Established by WGGB and @societyofauthors.bsky.social, the award celebrates the very best in audio drama writing, with a £3,000 prize kindly donated by @alcs.co.uk Find out more and make a nomination 🔽 writersguild.org.uk/tinniswood-a...

Tinniswood Award 2027 open for entries - The Writers' Guild of Great Britain

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Tinniswood Award for original audio drama scripts broadcast (or made available online) between 1 October 2025 and 31 October 2026. Established by WGGB and …

writersguild.org.uk

Need your help. I forgot to unsubscribe Norton security products last year after they took a chunk of money out of my account without prior notification. They’ve repeated it today and this time it’s an even heftier chunk of funds.

THREAD/ORIGINAL ART GIVEAWAY This hare linoprint is by my mum, Jo. I'll be sending an original of this to one randomly chosen person who reposts this link to my recently updated website & pops a reply below. www.tom-cox.com The offer is open worldwide. I also have some more art to give away...

Neuroaesthetics is a growing area of research showing that seeking out & engaging with images & things we find beautiful each day can significantly improve mental health-my photo of dried flowers is some neuroaesthetics for your brain. Also spot the dried viola/tiny pansy...

FYA @baddestmamajama.bsky.social This thread and the one it quotes correlates with everything you’ve been saying about Long Covid. Thought you might like to see them. xx 😘

Jennifer Kretchmer@dreamwisp.bsky.social · 3d ago

A thread (starts further up, but this feels particularly relevant amidst the string of “Why aren’t you at [Convention]?” messages that inevitably arrive the last two weeks of July with a cascade of unmasked photos, followed by three weeks of “I’m so incredibly sick with *something*…”

What would we no longer have if fireworks were banned? Terrified pets, yet more pointless plastic released into the environment, antisocial moronic noise. Call me crazy but I reckon we can just about cope with that kind of loss, as a species.

The DWP are asking for people to contribute evidence for a forthcoming review of Carers Allowance and how it operates. Admittedly this is niche, but please spread the word so it reaches the right people. www.gov.uk/government/c...

Carer's Allowance: call for evidence

This call for evidence is being administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to gather information and views to build on the Department’s existing evidence. What we hear will help shape ...

gov.uk

God forbid women have hobbies

In Otter News@in-otter-news.bsky.social · 4d ago

Sounds like otter chaos.

We can’t say we weren’t warned. There have been countless articles, research papers and natural history programmes explaining to humanity what would happen if we didn’t take action. Can only hope now we’ll collectively start taking proper action.

Laura Phillips@lauraphillips.bsky.social · 4d ago

Sir #DavidAttenborough “Things are going to get worse. This is the new extinction. We are in terrible, terrible trouble and the longer we wait to do something about it, the worse it is going to get." #ClimateEmergency

Sir #DavidAttenborough “Things are going to get worse. This is the new extinction. We are in terrible, terrible trouble and the longer we wait to do something about it, the worse it is going to get." #ClimateEmergency

David Attenborough, the voice of Our Planet: “Things are going to get worse”

The voice of some of the most stunning nature documentaries ever made is pessimistic about the future of wildlife on earth.

vox.com

Seeing a well known journalist posit an ill-informed opinion about a genuine medical condition on here hasn’t kicked off my day in the right way. Okay, I’m peeved. No I’m not. I’m bloody annoyed. Yes. That’s it. Do your research, man. Talk to people with the illness. Educate that ignorance.

And then they throw in some Celtic languages and yoink bits of languages from around the world along the way. The result: a language where there are usually about 10 different ways to say something, but when it comes to writing, you sit at your desk for 20 minutes trying to think of one 🤣 #amwriting